The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Saving our Species (SoS) Program is calling on beachgoers to report sightings of turtle nests to help protect the endangered species.
Project Officer at SoS’s NSW TurtleWatch, Holly West said that over the next few weeks, green and loggerhead sea turtles may be seen nesting on beaches from the far north coast right down towards the central coast.
“Typically, October marks the start of the nesting season, so we are asking all beachgoers to become ‘citizen scientists’ and help us locate potential nest sites and record basic data,” Ms West said.
“Both these turtle species are threatened, which is why all reports of nests or even turtle tracks on the sand are vital to helping us protect them during this critical breeding period,” she said.
“We estimate that only one out of 1,000 turtle hatchlings will reach maturity, so every single nest, every single egg and hatchling that we can protect will make an impact on the survival of these species.”
Ms West said it was important for people to notify TurtleWatch of potential nesting sites so accurate measurements could be taken and the nests could be protected from threats.
“The best time to look for sea turtle tracks is first thing in the morning as turtles usually come up to nest overnight,” she said.
Team Leader at SoS, Melissa Giese said that, last year, staff and volunteers reported 19 nesting activities, which produced more than 470 hatchlings.
“More and more marine turtles are recorded nesting and foraging in New South Wales, and beaches in northern NSW are considered critical as loggerhead and green turtles adapt to the impacts of climate change,” Ms Giese said.
She said turtle sightings should be reported to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 13000 PARKS or to NSW TurtleWatch on 0468 489 259.
